Shri Vidya (ISO: Śrī Vidyā; lit. ''knowledge', 'learning', 'lore', or 'science'';[1] sometimes also spelled Sri VidyaorShree Vidya) is a Hindu Tantric religious system devoted to the Goddess. Shri Vidya developed out of various influences, especially Kāśmīr Shaivism, and its doctrines remain similar to this tradition.[2]
In the principally Shakta theology of Śrī Vidyā the goddess is supreme, transcending the cosmos that is her manifestation.[a] She is worshiped in the form of a mystical diagram (Sanskrit: yantra), a central focus and ritual object composed of nine intersecting triangles, called the Shri YantraorŚrī Cakra.[3]
The south Indian tradition of Sri Vidya generally focuses on Lalitā Tripurasundarī (Beautiful Goddess of the Three Worlds) as the main form of Mahadevi. Apart from Mahātripurasundarī, other important deities in this tradition include Gaṇapati, Bālā, Rājamātaṅgī, Mahāvārāhī, and Parā. The most important source for this branch of Sri Vidya is the Paraśurāma Kalpasūtra. A thousand names for this form of Devī are recited in the Lalitā Sahasranāma, which includes Śrī Vidyā concepts.[b] The sect accepts and aims to provide both material prosperity and self-realisation. It has an extensive literature.[4]
The most important scholar of Sri Vidya is undoubtedly Bhāskararāya (1690–1785), who wrote over 40 works from a Sri Vidya perspective.[5][6] He is the author of key Sri Vidya texts like the Saubhāgyabhāskara (a commentary to the Lalitā Sahasranāma), Varivasyārahasya (a work on Sri Vidya mantra and worship) and the Commentary on Nityāṣōḍaśikārṇava.